Matthew Kuhnemann has moved past the scrutiny of his bowling action as he prepares for a mid-year Test tour of the West Indies. Following a temporary suspension and a 10-day testing period by the ICC, he remained confident and spent quality time with family on the Gold Coast during the wait. Kuhnemann, Australia’s leading wicket-taker against Sri Lanka, expressed gratitude for the support he received and reflected on the challenges he’s faced, including a thumb injury. He is now focused on helping Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield and aspiring to play in England and the Caribbean, highlighting the spin-friendly nature of the West Indies.
Kuhnemann faced a temporary suspension from bowling and endured a 10-day waiting period for test results after undergoing evaluations by the sport’s governing body.
This 28-year-old cricketer spoke to the media on Friday for the first time since the situation, expressing his unwavering confidence that his action would be cleared. He even took advantage of the downtime to enjoy some time with family on the Gold Coast.
“It was nice to have some quality time with my family,” he remarked. “[The waiting period] wasn’t as stressful as many might think.
“Initially, there was a sense of shock [and] I was extremely thankful for the support provided by Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania.
“Having played over 100 professional matches without ever being questioned, I remained confident that everything would be alright.
“I’ve used the past couple of weeks to reflect and now it’s time to move forward.”
If the tests had shown that Kuhnemann extended his elbow beyond 15 degrees, he would have faced a ban from bowling until he could demonstrate he had corrected the issue.
Kuhnemann emerged as Australia’s leading wicket-taker in the recent two-Test series against Sri Lanka, claiming 16 wickets at an average of 17.18 despite playing through pain from a broken right thumb sustained during the Big Bash League in January.
He noted that the ICC tests, his thumb injury, and his challenges in securing a place in the Queensland state team have all contributed to his resilience.
“This is the reality of being a professional athlete today; people might have their doubts, but it’s about how you transform that doubt into motivation,” he stated. “I’ve never felt more assured in my skills as a cricketer.
“Playing in Sri Lanka was likely the peak of my career; the ball was coming out beautifully.”
Kuhnemann hopes to lead last-placed Tasmania to victory as they face New South Wales in a day-night match during the final round of the Sheffield Shield starting Saturday.
His upcoming aspirations include a potential stint with Durham in England and representing Australia in a three-Test series against the West Indies in June.
“I’ve never visited the West Indies … but I know it can be conducive to spin,” Kuhnemann said. “If the chance arises, I would love to go there and play.”